by The Editors on January 5, 2015
What better way to kick off the new year that by diving deep into the action apparel-poloza that is the Agenda Show. It opens its two day run at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California today at 9 AM. Over 500 brands are represented at the show. So don’t think you’re not going to find what you’re looking for.
And while you’re there you might want to try to snag one of these limited edition Agenda collab FlexFits designed by Eric Haze, Herschel Supply, Deathwish, and Master P. They will undoubtedly be in short supply. To check all the brands, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 2, 2015
While teaching surfing in Costa Rica 49-year-old Dean Parker reportedly “heard God’s call” to fight ISIS, according to a story in the Daily Mail.
An American grandfather has joined the Kurds in the fight against ISIS in Syria after abandoning his idyllic life as a surf instructor in Costa Rica, to wield an AK-47 against the jihadists. . . In an interview with MailOnline, Dean Parker, who has no previous military experience, said he ‘heard God’s call’ to take up arms after watching a heartbreaking TV report about the plight of the Yazidi people trapped on Mount Sinjar by Islamic State fighters.
Parker says he’s going to surf the Black Sea just as soon as they can defeat ISIS. For the rest of the story, click the link.
[Link: Daily Mail]
by The Editors on December 22, 2014
On December 19, 2014 on the North Shore of Oahu Gabriel Medina became the first Brazilian surfer to ever win an ASP World Title, he also became the last. Kelly Slater has capped his ASP world title wins at 11. Neither surfer will ever win another ASP world title, because come 2015 the Association of Surfing Professionals will no longer exist. From here on in it’s the World Surf League. But that fact shouldn’t detract from the amazing season Gabriel Medina turned in in 2014.
Medina commenced his historic 2014 season run with an impressive win on Australia’s Gold Coast before posting respectable results in Margaret River and at Bells Beach. Despite a slight stumble at home with a 13th in Rio, Medina rebounding with an emphatic win in Fiji. Medina’s South Pacific form was not limited to Fiji, as the young Brazilian scored a sensational win in deadly conditions at Tahiti’s Teahupo’o over rival Kelly Slater (USA).
But it’s wasn’t until Pipeline that Medina wrapped it all up.
Posting a solid win over lethal wildcard Dusty Payne (HAW) in Round 3 of the Billabong Pipe Masters this morning, Medina successfully eliminated Slater from title contention. Fanning’s elimination in Round 5 by compatriot Alejo Muniz (BRA) sealed Medina’s fate and the capacity crowd at the beach erupted for the young Brazilian.
Congrats, Gabriel. Next year you (and the rest of the top 34) can go after your first WSL World Title. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 19, 2014
Look at all those trophies. There really is no better day in a surfer’s competitive life than that time he won the Billabong Pipeline Masters in Memory of Andy Irons and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing all in one day. Now, Julian Wilson joins a select crew who knows exactly how it feels.
“It was an incredible day and I’m honestly speechless,” said Wilson. “Words can’t describe, I don’t even know how to feel yet. To win the Pipe Masters in good waves and having been out in the water for three heats in a row is amazing. I just found a groove and me and Gabriel got to duel it out — that’s what it’s all about. . . “Congrats to Gabriel on his World Title. To win this with Andy’s name on it, is the most special day in my life. I can’t really say anything else. I want to thank everybody, my family who’s back home, my beautiful girlfriend, I wish you guys were here but I really didn’t really expect this to happen.”
For the official word from the ASP, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 19, 2014
by The Editors on December 19, 2014
We’ve often given our friends at Nixon grief for the fact that all their watches really do is tell time. And time of day really isn’t all that important of a metric when compared to all the other data points we use to run our lives. Sure the SuperTide kicks down a great overview of the tide, but in the era of truly smart watches, all most Nixon watches had going for them is they looked good and kept the proper time. With the launch of their Nixon UltraTide all that is about to change. This new Nixon tide watch delivers up to the minute Surfline tide, swell, wind, and weather data directly to the wrist.
Using advanced technology to take surf watches to an entirely new level, Nixon and Surfline’s goal in creating the Ultratide was not to change the way people surf, but rather give surfers more information and to deliver it in real time so you’ll never not know. . . . The Ultratide – unlike virtually every smart watch out there today – has no pesky cords required to sync or charge. Syncing with your smartphone via Bluetooth delivers the most accurate and up-to-date surf conditions directly to your wrist. This is not predicted information… this is real time with 10 live data points including creating custom surf alerts for the spots you want and the conditions you like. Browse the entire Surfline network of spots – over 2,700 and growing – and select your favorites. Set up custom alerts for each spot, and The Ultratide will make sure you never miss an epic session again.
Sounds like this watch is going to be a serious surf watch killer. The only bad news — it’s not out in time for Christmas. We’re all going to have to wait until “early spring,” well after the Apple Watch has dropped. Not to worry. From what we’ve heard the Apple watches aren’t even waterproof. For the official word from Nixon and Surfline, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 18, 2014
It is getting down to the wire. If you weren’t paying attention when we listed out our 12 Days Of Gifts and you didn’t take action on any of those ideas, not to worry. We’re still rocking this gift game and the good news is you still have time to help the one you love hold their pants up with a rockin’, totally adjustable belt from Mission Belt Co.
Mission belts don’t have holes. They have a ratchet systems that allows for a perfect fit each and every time they go on. And better yet, you’re not just getting high tech leather belt, you’re also helping to end world hunger. Mission Belt Co. gives one dollar from the sale of each belt to the micro lending site Kiva.org.
For each Mission Belt sold we contribute a dollar into a Kiva fund that then gets lent out to borrowers in developing countries who are seeking money to support their small business operations. We’re not talking about expensive factory equipment or a new tractor, but rather what we might consider a relatively cheap income producing asset, like a cow that produces milk, or a few hundred dollars worth of supplies that can be resold for a profit. In this way, our Mission isn’t just satisfying people’s immediate needs, but giving them the means for an improved standard of living that will last the rest of their life.
So with this gift, you’re holding up someone’s pants and helping to change the world through local economics all at the same time. And, if you order a belt by noon mountain time on December 19, 2014 (that’s tomorrow), you’ll get the belt by Christmas and everyone’s happy.
[Link: Mission Belt Co.]
by The Editors on December 15, 2014
It’s so easy to sit back and talk smack about a call that someone else made. That’s why everyone does it. Here is Surfing Magazine’s video jab at Billabong Pipeline Masters event organizers for calling the contest early yesterday (December 14, 2014) just moments before the Pipeline roared to life with some scary, bumpy ass monster barrels. We have no opinion, we’re glad Surfing Magazine was there to get it all on video and share it with us.
by The Editors on December 12, 2014
While the West Coast super storm may have kept some Southern Californians indoor the morning of December 12, 2014, it did not keep surf media personality Chris Cote in his cube. No! He ventured out to revive the old sport of kings: urban boogie sliding. Yes, Robert Siegel, this is what your listeners are up to on a stormy Friday morning.
by The Editors on December 12, 2014
Mervin Manufacturing co-founder Mike Olson is the mad scientist (click here to watch the video) who is almost singled handedly responsible for every major advancement in ski and snowboard construction and design over the past 30 years. There are too many to list here, however, the good news is that for the past decade Olson has turned his ground breaking design and construction intuitions to surfing. This has resulted in a top secret, US based production facility that is creating some of the most durable, environmentally safe surfboards ever produced. Olson calls them “waterboards.” Here are few of the features:
100% closed cell foam won’t absorb water… won’t rot; more durable: Lasts longer, less dings, less boards in landfills; recycled foam core: up to 50% recycled content in blank, blank scraps all recycled, elimination of hazardous resin systems, non ozone depleting blowing agent, Basalt fiber: no additives, no boron, no solvents except water; no paint brushes, no sandpaper, no tape
If you’re thinking about giving the gift of surf this year, then the Air E Ola is the perfect board. It features a “freedom of choice” five-box fin system, a concave deck and grab rails for better edge grip. It comes in lengths from 5’5″ to 6’3″. The Air E Ola is a durable, environmentally friendly, performance shortboard that will change your surfing life. For real. The Air E Ola retails for $725.96 and can be purchased right here.
[Link: Lib Tech Waterboards]
12 Days Of Gifts Recap
Day 11: Academy Propa-Camba Snowboard
Day 10: Boosted Electric Skateboard
Day 9: Freewaters Scamps Flips
Day 8: Smith Marvine Sunglasses
Day 7: GoPole Reach Selfie Stick
Day 6: Vans Jamie Lynn Sk8-HI
Day 5: Dakine Ally Pack
Day 4: SOL Republic Relays
Day 3: Spy Bravo Goggles
Day 2: Stance Wittlake Five-Toe Compression Socks
Day 1: Byrd Dopp Bag
